Automatic tape affixing apparatus

Abstract

An automatic tape affixing apparatus includes a tape affixing head movable in X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, A-axis and C-axis directions, a roller carrying member being vertically movably supported by the tape affixing head, a tape presser roller rotatably supported by the roller carrying member, a sensor for detecting a vertical relative moved amount of the roller carrying member relative to the tape affixing head, and control means for controlling vertical movement of the tape affixing head in accordance with a signal from said sensor so as to eliminate the vertical relative moved amount of the roller carrying member, whereby when the roller carrying member is moved relative to the tape affixing head, the sensor detects the relative moved amount and the tape affixing head is vertically moved in accordance with the relative moved amount so that the relative moved amount of the roller carrying member to the tape affixing head is eliminated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tape affixing head for an automatic tape affixing apparatus in which the tape affixing head is moveable in multiple directions for affixing tape onto an affixing surface, said tape affixing head comprising: a structure means mounting a tape supply reel and a take-up reel for said tape;   a roller carrier means movably mounted on said structure means, said roller carrier means carrying a presser roller means operable to press said tape onto said affixing surface;   sensor means operably disposed between said structure means and said roller carrier means for detecting relative movement between said structure means and said roller carrier means; and   control means responsive to said sensor means for controlling the movement of said structure means relative to said roller carrier means to thereby maintain a predetermined relative position between said structure means and said roller carrier means.   
     
     
       2. A tape affixing head according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means is mounted on said structure means and has a moveable member engageable with said roller carrier means. 
     
     
       3. A tape affixing head according to claim 1, wherein said pressure roller means is vertically moveable relative to said roller carrier means in accordance with the contour of said affixing surface, said control means being operable to vertically move said structure means to thereby maintain a fixed vertical distance between said structure means and said roller carrier means. 
     
     
       4. A tape affixing head according to claim 1 further comprising a cutter on said structure means for cutting a tape component of said tape, said cutter being operable to cut a predetermined length of said tape component which extends between said pressure roller means and said cutter as said predetermined relative position between said pressure roller means and said structure means is maintained constant by said control means as said pressure roller means follows the contour of said affixing surface. 
     
     
       5. A tape affixing head according to claim 1, wherein said tape affixing head is moveably mounted on a mounting part of said automatic tape affixing apparatus, said control means comprising operable means for moving said structure means relative to said mounting part, said control means being operable to control the operation of said operable means to thereby control the relative positions between said structure means and said mounting part. 
     
     
       6. A tape affixing head according to claim 1, wherein said supply reel and said take-up reel are mounted on a fixed position on said structure means. 
     
     
       7. A tape affixing head according to claim 1 further comprising pressurizing cylinder means and load cell means operably disposed between said structure means and said roller carrier means. 
     
     
       8. Automatic tape affixing apparatus comprising: a tape affixing head for affixing tapes onto an affixing surface;   multiple axis mounting means mounting said tape affixing head for movement on and about multiple axes;   said tape affixing head comprising a structure means mounting a supply reel and a take-up reel;   a roller carrier means movably mounted on said structure means, said roller carrier means carrying a pressure roller means operable to press said tape onto said affixing surface;   sensor means operably disposed between said structure means and said roller carrier means for detecting relative movement between said structure means and said roller carrier means;   operable means disposed between said multiple axis mounting means and said structure means for moving said structure means relative to said multiple axis mounting means; and   control means responsive to said sensor means for controlling said operable means such that said operable means moves said structure means relative to said multiple axis mounting means and relative to said roller carrier means to thereby maintain a predetermined relative position between said structure means and said roller carrier means.   
     
     
       9. A tape affixing head according to claim 8, wherein said supply reel and said take-up reel are mounted on a fixed position on said structure means. 
     
     
       10. A tape affixing head according to claim 1, wherein said roller carrier means further comprises pressurizing means disposed between said roller carrier means and said structure means operable to maintain a pressurizing force between said structure means and said roller carrier means. 
     
     
       11. A tape affixing head according to claim 10, wherein said pressurizing means comprises pressurizing cylinder means and load cell means. 
     
     
       12. A tape affixing head according to claim 10, wherein said pressure roller means overlies said affixing surface and is vertically moveable in accordance with the contour of said affixing surface.